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Willard Norwood
10/16/1921 — 02/11/2020
From Richland, WA | Born in Oklahoma
Celebration of life
Reception
Willard Norwood
Willard Norwood our Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandfather—was loved by all. He was born on 10-16-21 and lived to the age of 98, but was taken way too soon. Dad married the love of his life, Jocelyn Roark, on 8-12-39. The two were married two months short of 75 years before Mom’s death on 4-6-14. Their love was unconditional and they shared many hardships but their love that carried them through the rough times of the Depression and beyond. He’d do anything for his two “kids” and great/grandkids. Dad was very kind, never held a grudge, and was quick to forgive. Something to aspire to. He worked for Hanford and ended his career at Exxon. Dad served in the US Navy during WWII on the USS Logan and saw the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima. A friend said of Dad’s passing, “He belonged to that generation that did great things without claiming to be great!” The last surviving of his nine siblings, Dad leaves behind son, Darrel Norwood, (Linda), daughter Linda Norwood, (Jim Filbin), grandkids, Katrina Swanson, (Richard), Khris Norwood, (Shelby), Jocelyn Wilson, (Arun Ponnusamy) Erik Wilson, (KT) and great grandchildren Brandon, Max, & Colten Swanson, Tyler & Tawny Norwood and Jack Wilson. He will remain in our hearts forever.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 10:00 am at Events at Sunset, 915 ByPass Hwy in Richland with a reception to follow.
So sorry to learn of your dad’s passing, Linda! What an amazing & full life he had. We are grateful he is reunited with your mom. Blessings to you & your family,
I delivered newspapers to Will when I was younger and then I started working for Exxon and there he was, always enjoyed Will, he was Great person.
I worked with Will for many years at Exxon in the bundle assembly area. he would always make me laugh with his corny sayings like: Soon i’ll know the price of pork chops. He loved his Subaru’s. He would tell me , that if it wasn’t a Subaru, then it wasn’t a car. He was a good man and will be missed. RIP Will.
We were both blessed to have met Willard at the Columbia Center Mall in Richland, WA six years ago, soon after he had lost his wife, who he evidently loved and missed. Both of us would look forward to seeing his beautiful smile whenever we made eye contact. I felt so honored when one Veterans Day he mentioned that he witnessed our American flag being raised at Iwo Jima. In every chat, never once did he mention any pain or discomfort, but would cheerfully push his walker in front of him as he walked the Mall with the rest of us Mall Walkers. George and I already miss the sight of him sitting in his walker – sometimes with sweet Linda in her walker next to him. When he saw me approach he would stretch his arms out sideways and I would get warm hugs from both of them. May he Rest in Peace.
Thinking of the Family Darrel and Linda.
Love, Sherman & JoAnn
I worked with Will at Exxon. He was my lead tech. We had a lot of fun…I helped him install a CB in his Camper if I remember right after he retired. He was in my opinion, One Great Man…A mans man. I loved him and saw him last with his wife in 2014 I believe…I wish I could be there for his Celebration of Life, but it is not to be as I’ m going to Radiation treatment across from the Cancer Center. I wish the family well & God Bless you all.
Carl Franklin
Thoughts and prayers to the Family. He was my great uncle. Ernest ledbetter
Guestbook for
Willard Norwood